Coming Home Network International
April 21 - May 2, 2023
Join us as we travel through Italy, experiencing the beauty and exploring the history of the Catholic Church.
In the fall of 2024, Ken Hensley, Kenny Burchard, and Msgr. Jeffrey Steenson will be leading a group on pilgrimage through Italy.
This is a “Deep in History” pilgrimage. Yes, we want to experience the beauty of Italy, its landscape, art, and architecture. We want to explore some of the great cities of Italy, including Venice, Florence, Assisi, and Rome. But behind all of this will be a focus on the truth, history, and beauty of the Catholic Church. We will pray and celebrate Mass in some of the most beautiful churches in the world. We will learn about some of the great saints of our faith. All three leaders of this pilgrimage, being converts to the Catholic Church with decades of experience behind them as ordained Protestant clergy, bring to their teaching the excitement of those who have found a great treasure hidden in a field and sold everything to buy that field. Please consider joining us! It will be a wonderful time for us to share our stories and forge life-long friendships as we experience the power of walking where Jesus walked and learning about his life up close.
Ken Hensley
Director of Pastoral Care, CHNetwork
Msgr. Jeffrey Steenson
Professor of Church History and CHNetwork Board Member
Kenny Burchard
Director of Development, CHNetwork
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Pilgrimage Itinerary
Day 1 – Depart USA
We depart USA on overnight flight to Venice, Italy, enjoying dinner and breakfast served aboard flight.
Day 2 – Arrive in Venice
Arrive at Venice Airport where we are met by our tour escort and awaiting motor coach for transfer to our hotel in Venice. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel (D)
Day 3 – Venice
After breakfast, board your private motor launch to the main island of Venice for a walking tour beginning at Piazza San Marco, the most famous landmark of the island. Sites visited will include the Doges Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, San Marco Basilica (where we will celebrate Mass), and the Rialto. The afternoon is at leisure to explore the many shops or streets on your own. You may wish to experience a gondola ride along the famous canals of Venice this afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Venice. (B,D)
Day 4 – Venice | Padua | Florence
Drive to Padua to visit the Basilica of St. Anthony and the Scrovegni Chapel, (if reservations can be confirmed). Pray at the Tomb of St. Anthony followed by Mass in a side chapel of this Basilica. Continue to Florence, the jewel of renaissance Art and former stronghold of the infamous Medici family. Overnight in Florence. (B,D)
Day 5 – Florence
On your city tour, see Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry of St. John with Ghiberti’s bronze “Gates of Paradise” doors, and visit the Academy, where Michelangelo’s famous statue of David stands. No visit is complete without a visit to the massive Duomo which dominates the skyline and is an architectural marvel. Dinner and overnight in Florence. (B,D)
Day 6 – Florence | Sienna | Assisi
Today we head south to visit the home of St. Catherine of Sienna, a Doctor of the Church. We will have a city tour on foot to visit the famous Piazza del Campo and then transfer to the Sanctuary, Birthplace of St. Catherine. A visit to the spectacular Cathedral is included before we head for Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis. Check in at Hotel and enjoy dinner and overnight in Assisi. (B,D)
Day 7 – Assisi
After breakfast, we will participate in a guided tour of Assisi, including the stunning Basilica of St Francis, the Church of Santa Chiara (which houses her incorrupt body), and the towering Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, built over St. Francis’ special chapel, the Porziuncola. After lunch, we will celebrate Holy Mass at the Church of San Damiano, where Christ miraculously spoke from the Crucifix to St. Francis instructing him to “rebuild my Church.” Late afternoon and evening are free to explore the many winding streets filled with shops and cafes. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. (B,D).
Day 8 – Assisi | Rome
After breakfast and Mass, depart for the Eternal City. After checking into our hotel we will enjoy an afternoon city tour of Rome with dinner and the evening free to explore on our own. Dinner and overnight in Rome. (B.D)
Day 9 – Rome
Morning visit and tours of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs), and the Catacombs, where our group may celebrate Mass. In the afternoon, depart for Vatican City and a tour of the Vatican Museum and Gallery, Raphael’s Room, and the Sistine Chapel, followed by an interior tour of St. Peter’s Basilica. Dinner and overnight in Rome. (B,D)
Day 10 – Rome
After breakfast, we will enjoy a tour of St Peter’s Basilica, exploring the main Church and also the crypt below. Mass will be celebrated at the Central Altar in the crypt which faces the confession. In the afternoon, we will tour the Vatican Museum and Gallery, Raphael’s Room, and the Sistine Chapel and have time to explore the basilica. After dinner, an optional night walking tour of Rome will be offered, including the Piazza Navona, Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain (B, D).
Day 11 – Rome
This morning we will celebrate Mass at Santa Cecelia in Trastevere and spend the day touring ancient Rome to learn about the Roman context within which the Catholic Church was born and saw its early expansion. This will include visits to Capitoline Hill, the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill, Circus Maximus, Colosseum, and the Arches of Titus and Constantine. Last of all we will explore the Church of San Clemente, with excavations dating back to the earliest history of the Church. (B, D).
Day 12 – Depart for USA
After breakfast, we depart for the Rome Airport for our return flight home. (B)
NOTE: While no changes to this itinerary are anticipated, alterations may become necessary due to pending schedule confirmations, and/or, due to changes beyond our control.
Cost including airfare from EWR:
$ 5,289 per person, discounted for Cash/Check payment, based on 40 participants, & double occupancy. We gladly accept credit cards for the full price of $5,501 per person, based on 40 participants, & double occupancy.
For those pilgrims who wish to arrange their own international airfare, we have a LAND ONLY price of $4,399 per person Cash/Check; $4,575 per person with Credit Card. Please discuss this option with Maggie McDaniel before booking your international air! [email protected] or 419-290-8782
Included
- Round trip air from Newark, NJ (EWR) to Tel Aviv (TLV)
- 10 Nights’ accommodations
- Breakfast / Dinner daily + 2 Lunches
- English-speaking tour escort/guides throughout
- Private motorcoach throughout
- Transfers to and from all international airports for those on group air
- Entrance fees as noted in itinerary
- All tips to tour escorts, guides and drivers
- Private Mass arrangements daily (All locations noted pending confirmation)
- Entrance fees as noted in itinerary
- Taxes and fuel surcharge (subject to increase 30 days prior to departure)
Not Included
- Optional travel insurance (strongly recommended) NOTE: At the present, Israel is requiring insurance to cover COVID-19. We do not know if this will still be the case when this group travels.
- Transportation to Newark Airport
- Lunches, except where noted & beverages w/meals
- Items of personal nature
- Baggage fees imposed by airlines
- Any items not specifically mentioned
- Limited single rooms: $1,450 Cash/Ck | Credit Card: $1,508 (please call for availability )
- Any/all COVID test(s) that may be required by airlines, departing/arriving country. This may or may not be applicable when our group travels.
For additional information about the content of the tour, you may contact Ken Hensley at [email protected]. For additional information about flights, schedules, payment, amenities/accessibility, and other logistical issues, you may contact Maggie McDaniel at [email protected] or 419-290-8782.
